BACK in the 90s, Crowded House were squeezed by Grunge and Britpop, becoming unfairly labelled as bland radio fodder.

But, born from the ashes of new wave band Split Enz, the New Zealand group led by Neil Finn offered songs that have stood the test of time – unlike most of the tunes that came out of Grunge or Britpop.

Tunes such as Weather with You and Four Seasons in One Day from third album Woodface in 1992 and Distant Sun from 1993’s Together Alone are still hugely popular today. Which is exactly how Neil, 55, likes it.

He said: “I think we were always a bit outside the times, just doing our thing.

“The songs are still being sung, which means more than being part of any movement.

“I think good songs last a long time. Endurance helps and putting all your energy and spirit into it every time you play music is essential.”

With more than 30 years as a constant chart success, Neil’s knack for an earworm melody continues with his third solo album Dizzy Heights, the title track of which is released on Monday.

He has weathered not being hip and the advent of downloads and has one piece of advice for any would-be musician: “Eliminate the middle men.”

He said: “The music industry has always been a difficult business. Now with downloading and social media, there are just lots more options now, which make it confusing.

“But there is a potential to connect directly with the audience, which is positive.”

He is currently doing just that by touring the world and played Glasgow this week. He’s always glad to be back here.

Neil in his Crowded House days

He said: “I have had some of my most memorable shows in Scotland, the audiences were always so vocal and the humour seemed in synch with ours. If only I could understand what the hell they were yelling out.”

Neil was 18 when he was invited by his older brother Tim to join the art rock band Split Enz, writing their 1980 breakout hit I Got You.

After Split Enz folded, he formed Crowded House with drummer Paul Hester and Nick Seymour, going on to even bigger success, including an American No2 with Don’t Dream It’s Over and an imperial phase in the 90s with songs like Weather with You.

Since Crowded House broke up in 1996, Neil has released three solo albums and two albums with his brother as The Finn Brothers.

In 2012, he wrote Song of the Lonely Mountain for the end credits for the New Zealand-made The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

His latest solo album Dizzy Heights is very much a family effort and while packed with his usual melody is punchier and faster in places.

His wife Sharon plays bass and his sons Liam (guitar) and Elroy (drums) also feature. One song, Pony Ride, is played just by the Finn family.

Given Neil is the successful songwriter and well-known face, I wondered how hard it was for his kids and wife to do what he told them. He laughed: “It was a great feeling to have them all there in the backwoods of upstate New York where we recorded Dizzy Heights.

“I did get a few looks when I got a bit bossy though.

“They take some direction but I have to be sensitive, which is not my strong suit.

“They play with their own character and that’s what you want.”

Many successful musicians are cautious of their children following them into the business.

But Neil, as you can imagine from some of his blissed-out summery tunes, is laid-back and never wanted them to be, say, accountants.

He said: “None of us were very good at maths even though my dad is an accountant. Music is harder but much more fun.”

His sons have played on his albums before but Dizzy Heights, while featuring other musicians, feels more like a family effort.

Neil said: “There was a window of opportunity with everyone available so I grabbed it because first and foremost, it’s a hot band.

“Everyone can really play and there’s a lot that doesn’t have to be explained, they just get the feel.”

And fans of his past endeavours will be happy to know that after Crowded House’s 2007 comeback, there will be more music from them and from The Finn Brothers who only released two albums, the last of which was a decade ago.

Neil said: “As a solo artist, I can play songs from any era, which is great. But I am writing a few songs with my brother at the moment. I’m not sure what will be next but there will be lots more songs and recording for sure.”